’Tis the season of giving! But not every gift comes with a bow—the best gifts usually don’t. With each passing holiday season, we bet you’ve seen that the most meaningful gifts are the gifts of time and attention. And that’s something we want to teach our kids, too. This week, Emily’s giving you three easy ways to teach kids to develop their giving muscles, to look around and see ways they can help not only their friends and family, but people in their community. Because the truth is, when we give our time and attention to others, we get a gift in return: we get to be part of something larger than ourselves. We get the gift of purpose.
Thanks to our episode sponsors! (+ codes to help you save 💰)
STORYWORTH | Save $10 on your first purchase at https://storyworth.com/simplified
EVERLYWELL | Get 20% off your next at-home lab test at https://everlywell.com/simplified
UNCOMMON GOODS | Get 15% off your next gift at https://uncommongoods.com/simplified
How to Cultivate a Giving Spirit with Kids (all year long!)
- Make giving your time and resources to other people a normal thing that kids can see.
- When you teach your kids how to use their money, make sure “giving” is part of it.
- Teach kids that not all gifts require cash.
- Talk with kids about how they feel after they give.
- Show kids the power of giving alongside other people.
*For more info on how to wrap these tips into your routine, go listen to the episode!
Thought-Provoking Quotes
“Little by little, people who give can move mountains.” – Emily Ley
“In addition to all the fun presents we give them this holiday season, I wonder if we try and give our kids another kind of gift too. I wonder if we give our kids the gift of becoming people who love to give to others?” – Emily Ley
“I want my kids to remember what it feels like to see a need and meet it, to make a tangible investment in their community, whether it’s through their resources or even through their time. Because when we help our kids develop that giving muscle, it has so many benefits for everyone.” – Emily Ley
“The lessons we teach our kids in a “caught, not taught” kind of way are more powerful than any lesson they’ll learn on a whiteboard. And if giving is woven into the fabric of your family, it’ll be woven into the hearts of your children, too.” – Emily Ley
“Some of the most excited I’ve ever seen my kids is after they’ve given to someone in need or a cause they care about. I love asking them how they feel about themselves and the good they’ve done in the world. I watch their faces and hearts glow, and instantly, I feel that glow around me, too.” – Emily Ley
A Blessing for Your Week
As we enter the season of giving,
I hope your eyes are open to see who you can help,
Your hands are open to receive new giving opportunities,
And your heart is open to giving—and receiving—love
from places you weren’t expecting.
Simplicity Tip of the Week
Do you want to volunteer somewhere in your community, but you’re not quite sure where to go? You can find an opportunity to volunteer at a website called Volunteer Match! Just type your hometown into the search bar, and you can choose from all kinds of ways to volunteer—from education and literacy, to helping animals or other people in the community, and so much more.
And if all else fails, ask around to see who you friends volunteer with. I guarantee it won’t take you long to find a way to do good in the world.
Get Emily’s New Book!
Subscribe to The Simplified Podcast!
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | iHeartRadio | YouTube
Listen to the Podcast Ad Free + Get Early Access to New Episodes!
Let’s Be Friends!
Simplified: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | YouTube
Emily Ley: Instagram | Facebook
